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They also said the pilot had unsuccessfully tried to calm him down while in the waiting area.

'For the safety of the young man and the safety of others, American Airlines offered to book another flight for the family,' American Airlines spokesman Matt Miller told KTLA.

Mr Vanderhorst says the family was warned their son's behavior was a concern because their first class seat was too close to the cockpit and a distraction to the pilot could cause a mid-flight emergency landing.

Traveler: The boy's parents said that their son is always well behaved and does not cause trouble

Active: Bede, seen with a Spiderman impersonator (left) and when he was pulled onstage at a Journey concert (right), supposedly behaves like a four or five year old child

'My son is no different from a 4 or 5 year-old as far as behavior,' he insisted.

The Vanderhorsts claim Bede hadn't caused any trouble and instead was being discriminated against.

They said the airline was in breach of her son's civil rights and the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Airline personnel called airport police to intervene in the dispute and the family were re-booked on a United Airlines flight.

The Vanderhorsts reached their home in Bakersfield, California, but travelled in economy and say they have not been refunded for their first class upgrade.

They say they plan to sue American Airlines, and hope their experience will teach the company and people in general a valuable lesson.

'Respect each person's dignity,' Mr Vanderhorst said. 'Every one of us should be treated with equal dignity.'